Changes in forest floor and soil nutrients in a mixed oak forest 33 years after stem only and whole-tree harvest

Abstract Vegetation, forest floor, and soils were resampled at a mixed oak site in eastern Tennessee that had been subjected to stem only (SOH), whole-tree harvest (WTH), and no harvest (REF) 33 years previously. Although differences between harvest treatments were not statistically significant ( P P 2+ and Mg 2+ observed at 15 years post-harvest are still observable and significant at 33 years post-harvest, although decreases between 15 and 33 years were found. Treatment effects and changes in soil exchangeable Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ are consistent with known inputs from decomposing logging residues, inputs from atmospheric deposition, and increments in forest floor and vegetation. No treatment effects were found for soil extractable P, but steady decreases over time were found. No treatment or time effects were found for soil exchangeable K + .